So, most STEM majors know what I'm talking about when I mention ENGL 393 (Technical Communication). It's a class that most of us are required to take at some point. Most people moan and complain saying that it's a waste of time. Some people say that they learned a lot and are glad that they took the class. Some of the engineering departments are doing away with the course and folding the writing intensive requirement into their current classes.

Well, I'm in ENGL 393 right now and for one of my assignments I'm writing an investigative report about the effectiveness of the technical writing course. So I want to hear from you all about what you think. Vote in the poll and then offer your comments below. Please consider the following questions:

Why is technical writing mandatory?
What are the pros (and the cons) of having the technical writing course?
What are the pros (and the cons) of having the departments handle it?
Do you find the current technical writing class useful/effective? Why or why not?
If you could make some changes to the course, what would they be?

Thank you all for your help! Please paw and respond. My paper is due this Monday! (I'm such a procrastinator.) So the poll will end Sunday afternoon. Thank you all for your time!